FL--Authorities seize 30,000 marijuana plants in rural Hendry County

Discussion in 'Marijuana News' started by IndianaToker, Jan 9, 2005.

  1. The Associated Press

    CLEWISTON, Fla. Authorities on Friday seized more than 30,000 marijuana plants in one of the state's largest drug busts of its kind.

    Eleven men were arrested on charges of conspiracy to possess and possession with the intent to distribute 1,000 or more marijuana plants, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

    The arrests were made on Wednesday by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, which executed a search warrant at six grow houses in a subdivision about 10 miles southwest of Clewiston, Fla., The News-Press reported.

    It took dozens of law enforcement officials from southwest Florida until Friday to collect all the evidence. Officials had to use a semitrailer and two large moving trucks just to transport all the marijuana plants, said Hendry County Sheriff Ronald Lee.

    "They had them growing in kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms," Lee said. "Anywhere there was a room, they had those incubators growing."

    The estimated value of the plants was $60 million, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

    Agents found thousands of marijuana plants in plastic containers inside and outside the houses. Each house had between one to two acres covered with the plants, Lee said.

    "They determined this organization was using indoor grow methods and transferring them to outdoor grows that were more camoflauged," said Joe Kilmer, spokesman for the Drug Enforcement Administration's Miami field division.

    The men arrested were: Alexis Miguel Gonzalez, Jorge Luis Gutierrez, Pedro Garcia Guiterrez, Ermundo Hernandez, Luis Hatuey Penalver, Jose Rigoberto Perez, Panfilo Chaves Perez, Juan Roche, Yoandy Rojas Guevara, Noslen Hernandez Romero and Armandou Vidal, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.


    Link to article: http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050108/APN/501080551
     
  2. Holy shit.. thats a lot of weed, enough to last me a few years :smoking:
     
  3. **Claps hands**..... Congratulations Clewiston Police!!! You just siezed 30,000 harmless plants!
     
  4. FORT MYERS - Eleven men arrested in a massive drug bust appeared in federal court Thursday. Prosecutors revealed the identity of the suspects and detailed how investigators were tipped off to the marijuana growing operation.

    Authorities say the operation seized roughly 30,000 pot plants, valued at $60 million.

    The investigation started on August 13th when witnesses saw men moving boxes marked as lamps, potting soil and pots at 255 North Zambria in the Montura Ranch Estates area of Hendry County.

    In addition to the supplies, prosecutors say the men were seen bringing four-inch tall plants into the address from a van.

    The same type of activity was allegedly seen in September 425 North Kennel Street in Montura Ranch Estates.

    Investigators also said during the hearing that the history of electric usage at the North Zambria address jumped from $24 in June to $93 in August to $321 in October. They say it's evidence of the power required for a pot-growing operation.

    On December 13th, investigators conducted surveillance at the North Kennel address and say they smelled the strong odor of marijuana.

    On January 5th, a warrant was served on both addresses. One suspect's car was found at 820 South Trebol Street. A search warrant executed there also turned up marijuana, according to prosecutors.

    The FDLE informed the DEA of another location at 730 South Kennel Street, where investigators say they found another 1,000 plants.

    The 11 men arrested are:

    • Alexis Gonzales
    • Jorge Gutierrez
    • Pedro Gutierrez
    • Ermundo Hernandez
    • Luis Penalver
    • Jose Perez
    • Panfiolo Perez
    • Juan Roche
    • Yoandy Rojas
    • Noslen Romero
    • Armandou Vidal
    In addition to the 11 men arrested, four more suspects were indicted in the case but they are not yet in custody:

    • Aleido Acosta
    • Armando Gonzales
    • Jose Vita
    • Edwardo Vita
    The 15 suspects consist of 11 Cuban nationals, three Mexican nationals and one Bolivian national. Authorities do not know if the men are in the U.S. legally.

    Almost all the suspects have south Florida connections. Some have family in Cape Coral.

    A translator was needed in court to communicate with the suspects, and each of the men appeared in court with his own public defender.

    All 11 were held without bond and have trials scheduled to begin on March 2nd.

    All the suspects are charged with intent to distribute and intent to sell marijuana. The charges carry a sentence of 10 years to life without parole and up to $4 million in fines.

    If they have a prior drug conviction, the sentence would net them 20 years to life and up to $8 million in fines.

    Link to article: http://www.nbc-2.com/articles/readarticle.asp?articleid=2320&z=3&p=
     

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